Red Bull and Vettel titles a formality now focus is on battle for best of the rest

15 October, 2013

Battle for second place is between Mercedes, Lotus and Ferrari

With Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull heading to the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Formula 1 titles with ease, the biggest remaining question of 2013 is the lucrative battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship.

A country mile behind the Red Bull juggernaut, grandee teams Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus are all separated by just over 30 points. Their battle is worth many millions in income distributed by Formula 1’s commercial rights holders.

At the centre of that battle is a figure like Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, but he has already turned his attention beyond November’s season finale.

The podium in China – Kimi Raikkonen (second) race winner Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton (third) – was one of the rare occasions when Red Bull were not on the podium

Asked what he’s looking forward to most in 2013 now, the Briton admitted in Japan: “Christmas.”

For the fans, it’s a similar story. Perhaps Vettel’s march to all-time records will stimulate their interest.

For instance, the German has just won five grands prix on the trot. Not even the great Michael Schumacher won more than seven in a row.

If Vettel wins in India – sealing his title – and then Abu Dhabi, Austin and Interlagos, it will match Alberto Ascari’s 60-year-old record.

He would also equal Schumacher’s record haul of 13 wins in a single season. Hamilton thinks he could do it.